Abstract
This study was done to investigate the relationship between Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and prevalence of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) in two different offic es (old and new) in Selangor. Hundred and seventy workers were selected consist of 85 office workers for each building. Questionnaire based on Indoor Ai r Quality and Work Symptoms Survey, NIOSH, Indoor Environmental Quality Survey, 1991 was used to record prevalence of SBS. Measurement of indoor air quality was performed using instruments recommended by IAQ Code of Practice, Department of Occupational Safety and Health, Malaysia. IAQ supplied air was significantly higher in new buildi ng with the median 22.49 cfm/person while 15.79 cfm/person in old building (z = -6.23, p<0.001). Th e prevalence of SBS in old building was significant ly higher compared to the new building ( χ 2 = 30.6, p<0.001). Levels of indoor air pollutants i n old building were significantly higher compared to new building for: CO 2 (z = -4.62, p<0.001); TVOC (z = -2.71, p<0.05); PM 10 (z = -2.11, p<0.05); PM 2.5 (z = -2.35, p<0.05), meanwhile for UFP (z = 4.72, p<0.001) and THI value (z = -4.57, p<0.001), new building was si gnificantly higher compared to old building. There was significant association between the prevalence of S BS and the indoor air pollutants in the old buildin g namely CO 2 (OR = 3.56, 95% CI = 1.327-9.548); CO (OR = 4.95, 95% CI = 1.740-14.127); TVOC (OR = 4.71, 95% CI = 1.571-14.151); PM 10 (OR = 6.23, 95% CI = 2.278-17.065) and PM 2.5 (OR = 4.18, 95% CI = 1.564-11.199), while in the new building, the preva lence of SBS showed significant association with an indoor air pollutant namely UFP (OR = 6.53, 95% CI = 1.757-24.327). After controlling the cofounders; age, medical condition, smoking and having pet at h ome, the results showed that CO 2, CO, TVOC, PM 10 , PM 2.5 influenced SBS in old building while UFP influence d SBS in the new building. This study suggested that when there was an increase in the ventilation rates per person in office building, it would signi ficantly reduced prevalence of SBS, even though both buildings meet the existing ASHRAE ventilation standards for office building. Reduction in prevalence of SBS would depend on the increase in ventilation rates, ventilation effectiveness and reduction in indoor a ir pollutants that can cause SBS.
Highlights
Workers to be exposed to indoor air contaminants is increased which can lead to various type of building
Levels of indoor air pollutants in old building were significantly higher compared to new building for: CO2 (z = -4.62, p
After controlling the cofounders; age, medical condition, smoking and having pet at home, the results showed that CO2, Carbon Monoxide (CO), TVOC, PM10, PM2.5 influenced Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) in old building while UFP influenced SBS in the new building
Summary
Workers to be exposed to indoor air contaminants is increased which can lead to various type of building. Most of people spent their time up to 80% in the office equipped with systems such as heating, ventilation and air-conditioning. Mohd Ezman Zamani et al / American Journal of Applied Sciences 10 (10): 1140-1147, 2013 spent their time in indoor environment up to 90% and inadequate ventilation due to the increasing the number of workers in the building leads to sick building syndrome (Apte et al, 2000). The sick building syndrome was a major concern as many people were potentially at risk It was defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an excess of work-related irritations of the skin and mucous membranes and other symptoms, including headache, fatigue and difficulty concentrating, reported by workers in modern office buildings. Tight chest, wheeze and difficulty in breathing (Apte et al, 2000)
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